Arians says quarterback depth chart is already in place

If there was any question about the quarterback depth chart behind Carson Palmer -- not that there really ever was, given previous statements by both coach Bruce Arians and General Manager Steve Keim -- it's over now.

During an appearance Tuesday on the "Bickley and Marotta" Show on Arizona Sports 98.7, Arians was asked again about the choice of who was going to be Palmer's backup and whether the play of Blaine Gabbert this preseason could earn Gabbert the second spot.

"Oh, the decision has been made," Arians said, emphasizing Stanton will be the backup.

Gabbert still doesn't know the offense enough, Arians said, and he's been going against vanilla defenses. Gabbert is getting better, Arians said, but he'd be No. 3 with an eye toward a potential future -- especially with Palmer year-to-year in deciding how long he wants to play, and Stanton due to become a free agent after the season. Gabbert is also scheduled to be a free agent in March.

Would the Cardinals consider trading Gabbert, then, if a team came calling?

"That'd be a tough decision," Arians said. "That'd be an interesting conversation."

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